We cast into the depths of the sea our sins, and failures, and regrets.
Reflections of our imperfect selves flow away.
What can we bear,
with what can we bear to part?
We upturn the darkness, bring what is buried to light.
What hurts still lodge,
what wounds have yet to heal?
We empty our hands,
release the remnants of shame,
let go fear and despair
that have dug their home in us.
Open hands, opening heart —
The year flows out, the year flows in.
– Marcia Falk
High Holidays Info & Registration
Have you attended High Holiday services yet? All of our events and services will take place there in special Zoom rooms that are different than our normal ones. Make sure to reference the schedule in our web portal as it has the most up-to-date times!
Sign into our High Holidays web portal now!
Registration
1. Register by filling out the form at the registration site here. (Skip this step if you've already done it.) Make sure you hit the "submit" button at the end of the form to complete your registration!
2. After registering, go to the web portal via the following link and sign in:https://event.crowdcompass.com/havurahshalom/ If this doesn't work, try a different web browser. Use your name and email, then a verification code will be sent to you by email. It make take a few minutes to receive it. A new verification code will be sent every time you log in. You can avoid being logged out by just keeping your window open.
3. You will receive an additional email within 48 hours with links to the web portal (same as above) and to the App Store, where you can download the app and participate on your devices. Both the web portal and app have identical content and features, but the app may be more convenient for some folks.You can also find the app yourself after you register by searching for "CrowdCompass AttendeeHub" in the App Store. Once it's downloaded, open the app and search for "Havurah Shalom" and you will find our High Holidays app! Sign in and you're all set to go! The app will stay logged in.
Attending Events
After you’re logged in to the web portal or the app, navigate to the schedule and click on the event you want to attend. There will be a Zoom link there! If you do not see a Zoom link, make sure you're on this site.
Video Tutorial
For a thorough video tutorial on everything mentioned above, please click here.
We Have A Backup Plan
In the event that either Zoom or our Cvent web platform goes down, Rabbi Benjamin will continue with services from the sanctuary via the Havurah Shalom YouTube channel. We will send the congregation an email at that time with a link. Feel free to subscribe beforehand!
Are You Proficient with Zoom?
We need a few extra volunteers for Yom Kippur. Responsibilities will include moderating chat, copy and pasting prayerbook links, muting and unmuting people if necessary, and putting troublemakers into a waiting room if need be. Contact Karen Westerman ASAP if you are able to do this!
High Holidays Cemetery Gathering Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 pm (please arrive masked and stay socially distanced)
We gather to remember our loved ones, led in song and remembrance. The Havurah Cemetery is located at 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd.
Kol Nidrei
Sunday, Sept. 27, 6:45 pm Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Ilene Safyan, and Margie Rosenthal. Enter the holiest of days with us in sacred song, prayer, and reflection. Rabbi Benjamin will deliver his second drash of the season.
Yom Kippur Services Monday, Sept. 28, 9 am - 7 pm See our full schedule on our web portal once you register!
Regular Zoom Room Events These events will be in Havurah's regular Zoom rooms. See the bottom of the email for links.
Contemplative Service Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 am – Room Aleph
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through reflective Torah discussion and share blessings by chanting a few aliyot. Led by Rabbi Benjamin. For the time being, all services will take place on Zoom. Please contact the office to connect: info@havurahshalom.org.
Fall Garden Work Party Sunday, Sept. 27, 10am - 2 pmat Havurah (please come with a mask and stay distanced)
Since our previous work party got canceled due to the smoke, we will need all hands on deck on this coming Sunday, Sept. 27, 10-2. What better way to start the new year off than collectively beautifying our shul grounds. Bring a mask, pruners, water and snacks for yourself. Rain or shine!
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, Sept. 29, 12 pm– Room Bet
We gather on Tuesdays to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, and Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Sept. 30, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Tikkun Olam
High Holidays Tzedakah Project See the list of needs here. There are baskets at Havurah to drop off. Please make an appointment with Rachel in the office at rachel.pollak@havurahshalom.org. You can also contact Gloria Halper. We are also supporting Jewish Family & Children's Services. Mail checks to their office at 1221 SW Yamhill St.
"Me and White Supremacy" Group Forming
Havurah’s Countering White Nationalism cohort is using Layla Saad’s "Me and White Supremacy" as a tool for self-reflection to unpack our histories and roles within our white supremacy culture. The recording of the session they held about their experiences is available in the On Demand section of the High Holiday platform. There is interest in forming one or more new groups to work through the material together. Interested in joining a group? Email Chris Coughlin.
Portland Protests: A Conversation by Transform Network
Watch community leaders, including Rabbi Benjamin, speak on the Portland protests here.
Confronting Hate: Uncovering the Hidden History of Discrimination in Oregon Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7 pm –Special Zoom room Walidah Imarisha co-edited two anthologies including Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories From Social Justice Movements. Imarisha’s nonfiction book Angels with Dirty Faces: Three Stories of Crime, Prison, and Redemption won a 2017 Oregon Book Award. She is also the author of the poetry collection Scars/Stars. More info here.
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty has compiled an educational packet on poverty for its congregations, including a book list, videos, etc. A three-minute YouTube video put out by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) is in this compilation. It's short, informative, real view of poverty in Portland presents another perspective on this issue. See it here.
Need Assistance?
JFCS, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, is offering emergency assistance for wildfire relief. If you or someone you know is in need, please contact Caitlin DeBoer, Program Manager at 503-226-7079 ext. 134 or by email at cdeboer@jfcs-portland.org.
Make Donations The Jewish Federation of Portland has created an emergency fund where, 100% of all contributions will go to assist those impacted by the fires. You can donate here. You can also donate to Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation for local relief.
Community Offerings
QJYPortland: A Space for Jewish Teens! Introducing QJYPortland, Portland's first LGBTQQIA+ and beyond Jewish Youth Group presented by Jewish Family & Child Service! QJYPortland is a Jewish or Jew-ish group for youth ages 14 through 17, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, allies, or anywhere on the spectrum of gender creativity. Facilitated by Becca Dorn-Medeiros, starting Wednesday September 23, 2020 at 4:15pm, this biweekly meeting will be held virtually through a HIPAA compliant Zoom platform. Please email qjyportland@jfcs-portland.org for the meeting ID and further information!
Do You Need Help?
If you are facing financial hardship from a loss of employment, decrease in income, or any other impact of this crisis; or, if you would benefit from the support of community members for grocery shopping, errands, or any other concrete needs, for any reason, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3.
If you would like to be on a list of people to support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Susan Lazareck or Rabbi Benjamin at the email above.
Havurah Zoom Rooms
For info on Zoom, click here. You must sign-in after you visit the link.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, May 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Shabbat School Shabbat, May 3rd 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(ZM) Progressive Israel Network Sessions Sunday, May 4th 11:00a to 12:00p Havurah Shalom is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network. Come learn in collaboration with representatives from five to six of the participating Progressive Israel Network organizations, including T’ruah, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, New Israel Fund, J Street, and Reconstructing Judaism.
All perspectives on Israel-Palestine, as well as all curious people, are welcomed and encouraged. Our guests will give presentations and take questions. You can register for all sessions, below, but it's okay if you can't attend all three sessions.
(Reconstructing Judaism, the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, of which Havurah Shalom is a part, is a member of the Progressive Israel Network.)
(IP) Writing for Peace and Reconciliation, Within and Between Us Sunday, May 4th 6:30p to 8:30p Commemorate the last day of Pesach and Yitzkor in community Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? April 20th & May 4th, 6:30 PM at Havurah, join Harriet Cooke for a writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. (It is recommended to attend either just the first session or both sessions.)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 5th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(CANCELED) Collage Art with Jewish Symbols Wednesday, May 7th 6:30p to 7:45p This class has been canceled by the instructor. If you are interested in doing art at Havurah, please reach out to Adela Basayne (info@havurahshalom.org). Bring your crafts and creativity out for making collage art with Jewish symbols. We will create hamzas, stars of David, trees of life, and images for blessing the home. All ages are invited! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 7th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
